AWLO DMV — Emerging Leaders

The Emerging Leaders Initiative

Preparing the Next Generation to Lead, Serve, and Transform the World

The Emerging Leaders Initiative is a collaborative partnership between the African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO), Empowering Women, Empowering Voices (EWEV), House of Diamond Community Initiative (HODCI), and the Global Legacy Builders Foundation (GLBF). United by a shared commitment to developing principled and purpose driven leaders, these organizations work together to identify, equip, mentor, and empower emerging leaders with the knowledge, character, and opportunities needed to create meaningful change in their communities and around the world.

Through leadership development, mentorship, executive networking, professional training, and direct engagement with accomplished global leaders, the initiative provides a transformative platform where young professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and aspiring changemakers cultivate the confidence, skills, and vision required to lead with excellence. For more than a decade, GLBF, HODCI, and EWEV have invested in underserved communities through leadership programs, educational initiatives, and capacity building efforts across the United States, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, and Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. In partnership with AWLO, this initiative expands those efforts, creating new pathways for African and diaspora women and emerging leaders to connect, collaborate, and grow into influential leaders across every sector of society.

01Leadership Development

02Mentorship

03Global Networking

04Professional Excellence

05Community Impact

Meet the Emerging Leaders

Rising

Manita Efe Opoku

Arts, Media & Community Engagement

A graduate of the University of Rochester in Language, Media & Communications, Manita has worked as an Accessibility Project Manager with Auckland Theatre Company in New Zealand, partnering with 15+ Deaf and disabled consultants to shape a practical accessibility action plan. Her publishing work spans Open Letter Press and the University of Rochester Humanities Center, and she's an accomplished theatre creative — writer, director, actor, and costume designer across multiple productions. She aspires to use storytelling and culture to amplify diverse voices.

Rising

Saidah Brown

Entrepreneurship, Filmmaking & Service

A rising junior at Springbrook High School, Saidah has generated more than $1,400 in sales through her own ventures, building real experience in business development and marketing. As a national competitor in the NAACP ACT-SO filmmaking program, she's shown the discipline to develop original work and present it on a national stage — all while mentoring younger students. She's headed toward Business Management and Marketing.

Rising

Stephanie Bityeki

Academic Excellence & Student Leadership

A rising senior at Watkins Mill High School, Stephanie is an 11-time award-winning student with more than 1,000 Student Service-Learning hours. She's President of the Minority Scholars Program and Vice President of the Class of 2027, and holds standing as a College Board National AP Scholar and International Baccalaureate student. Her internship with Volman HR Strategy LLC is already building her toward a future in organizational leadership.

Rising

Morgan "Miracle Ina" Brewington

Social Entrepreneurship & Advocacy

Based in Prince George's County and pursuing her MBA at Capella University, Morgan is Founder & Executive Director of the Miracle Ina Foundation, which has served 30 young people and families through civil rights education, youth entrepreneurship, and trauma support. She also owns Little Piece of Heavenly Love, a wellness brand, and serves as a State and District Activist Leader with the National MS Society. Featured in Forbes' "Believe in Yourself."

Rising

Marie-Pearl Opoku

Creative Writing, Media & Storytelling

While at the College of Southern Maryland, Marie-Pearl earned a place on the Fall 2022 Dean's List and won the Wayne Karlin Award for Creative Writing. She went on to serve as a Media Fellow at Fordham University, writing for on-air personalities and shaping content across platforms. She's building a career centered on communication and cultural expression.

Rising

Nsikak Sampson, CPN

Publishing, Research & Digital Communications

A Certified Computer Operations Officer registered with Nigeria's Computer Professionals Registration Council and a Biochemistry student, Nsikak serves as Manager of Joseph Dream Publishing in Washington, DC — leading content strategy and communications that help authors expand their reach. He's also a public speaker and student leader encouraging young people to pursue knowledge and lead early.

Rising

Mamayaa Opoku

Marketing Strategy, Brand & Creative Production

With more than seven years across marketing, analytics, and creative production, Mamayaa began in data-driven strategy before finding her true calling in the people behind it. She's produced for an independent feature film and a PBS documentary spotlighting community stories, and now works as a Senior Marketing Strategist translating complex goals into clear action. Her leadership philosophy is simple: listen carefully, serve intentionally, and help people feel seen.

Alanna Cooper, Gizelle Cooper, and Angel Maliaka Muhlenburg in Liberia

Emerging Leaders in Youth Philanthropy & Humanitarian Service

Backpack for a Smile Campaign

Alanna Cooper & Gizelle Cooper (Founders) with Angel Maliaka Muhlenburg

At just 13 and 9 years old, Alanna and Gizelle launched the Backpack for a Smile Campaign to support children at Sis Iye Orphanage and surrounding communities in Barnesville, Liberia — setting out to secure more than 250 backpacks, 100 for the orphanage and 150-plus for neighboring school-aged children.

Their commitment took root before moving to Liberia, during visits to Ghana's Buduburam Refugee Camp — where their mother, Faith Akovi Cooper, and family members once lived as refugees. That history became the foundation for a family principle: "To whom much is given, much is expected."

Alanna and Gizelle are daughters of Faith Akovi Cooper, Executive Director of the United Nations Association of the USA and a distinguished PAALA 2026 honoree, but they are being recognized in their own right. Together, they represent an intergenerational legacy of service, continued.